Mt. View piano lab expands with donation

Mt. View School District superintendent Francine Shea, left, accepted a personal donation from district director Dr. Christine Plonski-Sezer for the purchase of an electronic piano for the high school piano lab. Photo/Tom Fontana

By Tom Fontana
Correspondent

Music education at Mt. View Jr. Sr. High School has hit another high note with a donation to purchase an additional electronic piano.

“I hope the district will use this to purchase another piano for the piano lab,” Plonski-Sezer requested, “and dedicate the piano in memory of Hendrick Marr.”

Marr, a former music teacher who served the district from 1957 to 1993, died in October. He had also been the organist and choir director at the First Congregational Church in Harford for many years.

Starting at the beginning of this school year, the high school music program was expanded with the purchase of two electronic pianos, coupled with the loan of three other pianos by an area music company at no extra charge to the district.

“In addition, the pianos have a split keyboard,” explained Shea, “so that two students can play on one piano at the same time.”

At a board meeting earlier this month, Plonski-Sezer spoke of the positive influence Marr had as her music teacher at Mt. View, and expressed her hope that the district would memorialize him in some way.

“We should always keep the music going,” she said.

Director Sondra Stine questioned why school building doors were being propped open.

“The whole purpose of our new security system is to keep our students safe,” she said, directing her comments to district maintenance director Robert Taylor.

Taylor informed the board that installation of the security system is complete in the elementary school, and is nearly complete at the high school.

It was indicated that the door to the district office entrance had been seen propped open.

“That’s probably when there’s food being delivered to the cafeteria,” Taylor said.

“Well, somebody better be there when the doors need to be propped open like that,” Stine strongly suggested.

Taylor was asked, if the security system is complete, why an alarm does not sound indicating that the door is open.

“That part of the system hasn’t been turned on,” Taylor replied. “There was a problem at one point with it, and it was turned off for repairs. I guess it wasn’t turned back on. It’s my fault that was overlooked, and I will see that it gets done.”

Chaz Ross, Clifford Twp., was appointed junior high wrestling coach, and Shaun Pellew was approved as a volunteer for the boys junior high basketball team. November 18 was approved as the official start date for Gail Wnorowski, Director of Special Services, and start date of November 19 was approved for Danielle Webster, elementary cafeteria monitor.

Outgoing board directors Elwood Williams and Dava Rhinehart-Cowan (absent from the meeting) were acknowledged for their service to the district.

“This country has been good to me,” Williams, the board’s current president, stated, “and it has been my pleasure to give something back by serving on this board.”

The varsity boys and girls soccer teams were honored with Pride in Mountain View certificates for their accomplishments during the past season.